On Thursday, Jan. 9, the Massachusetts Bar Association's
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee sponsored a "best
practices" program for law students and attorneys at the MBA's
offices in Boston.
This program shared tips and insights to help attorneys maximize
their ADR experience. Attorneys Jeffrey S. Stern and Francis J.
Lynch III led an interactive dialogue between the experienced
mediation professionals on the MBA ADR Committee and attorneys who
appear in mediation (or wanted to learn how).
Topics included how to prepare a client for mediation, what is the
right balance between zealous advocacy and respecting the more
cooperative nature of mediation, what are the best techniques for
breaking impasse, what is the right time to mediate, what kind of
mediator do attorneys and their clients want, and abuse of the
mediation process.
The next ADR best practices program is scheduled for Thursday,
March 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the MBA, 20 West St, Boston.